Connector for supplying electric power

Abstract

A connector for supplying electric power to a machine or other devices that require electrical energy, the connector facilitating and securing the connection, thereby preventing possible accidental disconnection. The connector comprises a male connector element, a protective piece, and a blocking device that, in a closed position of the connector, provides double blocking on a single element forming part of the male connector element, to prevent the connector of the invention from disconnecting. The blocking device is configured to block pins from tilting in the closed position of the connector, wherein the blocking device comprises rear projections solidly connected to the protective piece, and end portions solidly connected to the pins.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector for supplying electric power, comprising:
 at least one male connector element comprising a main body and a plurality of protruding pins attached centrally to the main body, the plurality of protruding pins further comprising longitudinal ribs, end flanges, and end portions having inclined areas and located opposite to the end flanges on the main body; 
 a protective piece having a tubular structure and configured for being coupled to and moving axially in a guided manner along the at least one male connector element, the protective piece further comprising rear projections having inclined areas which form a wedged fitting when coming into contact with the inclined areas of the end portions of the plurality of protruding pins of the at least one male connector element when the connector is in a closed position, such that the rear projections of the protective piece and the end portions of the protruding pins form a blocking device configured to block the protruding pins from tilting in the closed position of the connector; and 
 at least one female connector element comprising flanges into which the end flanges of the at least one mail connector element can anchor when the connector is in a closed position, wherein the protective piece is located in a forward position towards the at least one female connector element. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector for supplying electric power according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one male connector element further comprises lugs, and wherein the protective piece further comprises holes configured to receive the lugs of the at least one male connector element when the connector is in a closed position, such that the protective piece is immobilized with respect to the at least one male connector element. 
     
     
       3. The connector for supplying electric power according to  claim 2 , wherein the holes of the protective piece are located at the ends of guides located on inner surfaces of the protective piece, wherein the lugs are housed and guided in the guides. 
     
     
       4. The connector for supplying electric power according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover that is attached to the male connector element in one and the same axial direction. 
     
     
       5. The connector for supplying electric power according to  claim 4 , wherein the protective piece comprises inner surfaces which are configured for contacting the longitudinal ribs of the pins an open position of the connector, and wherein an open position of the connector is a position in which the protective piece is located in a backward position, towards the cover, opposite the forward position of the protective piece. 
     
     
       6. The connector for supplying electric power according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective piece further comprises front projections, wherein the front projections and the rear projections are located in opposite end openings of the protective piece with a tubular structure. 
     
     
       7. The connector for supplying electric power according to  claim 1 ,
 further comprising an axial retention device configured for preventing the separation of the protective piece with respect to the male connector element; 
 the axial retention device comprising front projections solidly connected to the protective piece and front steppings located in the longitudinal ribs of the pins of the male connector element, wherein in an axial retention position of the protective piece and the front projections abut against the front steppings of the longitudinal ribs of the pins. 
 
     
     
       8. The connector for supplying electric power according to  claim 2 , further comprising a cover that is attached to the male connector element in one and the same axial direction. 
     
     
       9. The connector for supplying electric power according to  claim 2 , wherein the protective piece further comprises front projections, wherein the front projections and the rear projections are located in opposite end openings of the protective piece with a tubular structure. 
     
     
       10. The connector for supplying electric power according to  claim 2 , further comprising an axial retention device configured for preventing the separation of the protective piece with respect to the male connector element; the axial retention device comprising front projections solidly connected to the protective piece and front steppings located in the longitudinal ribs of the pins of the male connector element, wherein in an axial retention position of the protective piece and the front projections abut against the front steppings of the longitudinal ribs of the pins.